Closing date Monday 15 June (9am UTC+1)
Is your goal to become an internationally recognised archaeologist and archaeological heritage scholar? Could your ideas help reshape world archaeology? Do you want to see your research published in reputable international journals? Are you committed to sharing the results of your research with the public? We warmly invite applications from early career researchers (ECRs) from South America to participate in the Rewriting World Archaeology: South America Writing Workshop and mentoring programme 2026.
This programme is designed to equip a cohort of ECRs with the necessary knowledge and skills: to access and publish in reputable, international, peer-reviewed academic journals, to develop and lead bold research agendas, and to share their results with the public. It is intended that the programme will significantly advance the careers of these ECRs, strengthen their ability to rewrite the archaeology and cultural heritage of South America, and to use this heritage to help forge a more equitable world archaeology.
The programme will consist of online workshops and individual mentoring sessions, supported by a variety of digital resources, and an in-person workshop in Rio de Janeiro in September 2026.
We define ECR broadly. As well as participants at PhD and post-doctoral level and those in new academic roles (up to five years from PhD), we welcome applications from early career professionals working in archaeological heritage organisations (up to five years from appointment). Eight ECRs from a variety of countries and academic/professional backgrounds will be selected from applications.
ECRs will be given the choice to work on developing (in English) either a 5000-6000-word Research Article, a 2000-3000-word Book(s) Review Article or a 1500-word Antiquity Project Gallery article (i.e. an article focusing on the results of an ongoing research project). Each selected ECR will be assigned two mentors. These groups will develop personal research plans and provide specialist support for the drafting of an article for submission to a reputable international journal. In addition, the ECRs will participate in regular online workshops with contributions from editors and regional specialists to provide general guidance in the preparation of research for publication (including themes such as peer review and research dissemination).
ECRs will submit full drafts of manuscripts in advance of an in-person workshop, to be held at the Science and Culture Forum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, where all the participants will convene for group presentations and personalised feedback on draft manuscripts. Following this workshop, ECRs will revise their manuscripts and submit them to appropriate international archaeology and heritage journals.
We will communicate in the English language, with an emphasis on building confidence and skills to speak and write in English to enable greater access to international publishing and funding.
In applying for the programme, participants are expected to be willing and able to commit to the various meetings, workshops and deadlines, to engage fully with the programme of mentoring and activities, and to communicate in English. The meetings schedule is as follows:
Meeting 1 (online): Monday 29 June, 3-5pm UTC+1 – Introduction session
Meeting 2 (online): Friday 31 July, 3-5pm UTC+1 – ECR research presentations
Meeting 3 (online): Thursday 13 August, 3-5pm UTC+1– writing training
Meeting 4 (online): Thursday 3 September, 3-5pm UTC+1 – peer review
Meeting 5 (in person): workshop in Rio de Janeiro. Monday 21 September (arrivals), Tuesday 22 – Thursday 24 – full working days, Friday 25 September (departures)
Meeting 6 (online): Thursday 22 October, 3-5pm UTC+1 – follow-up and review of completed/draft papers
We are grateful to the Trustees of Antiquity journal for the funding to support this initiative.
For further information about Rewriting World Archaeology: South America, including its mission and mentoring team, please see the accompanying ‘About the Programme’ document.
To apply for a place on the programme, ECR applicants should first read “About the Programme” and “Application Form Guidance” documents, then complete the online application form.
Rewriting World Archaeology: South America - Application Form 2026
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